Abstract: An apparatus and method for practicing golf shot where a ball is tethered to a storage and winding device for ball deployment. The tether feeds out of the storage and winding element guiding the A selectively operable motor rewinds the tether into the storage and winding device. A board onto which the practicing apparatus is removably mounted includes multiple surface materials to simulate various terrain conditions. A laser reader and bar coded tether is provided to measure the distance traveled by the ball.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a fishing reel set fast upon a golf club with shrink wrap engaging feet of a base of the reel. An eyelet is also engaged fast upon the golf club with the shrink wrap. Fishing line extends from the reel to and through the eyelet. A golf ball is attached to the end of the fishing line via a rivet frictionally engaging an opening in the golf ball. The rivet includes a catch to keep the rivet in the golf ball and to keep the line in the rivet. The rivet further includes a head having an arced surface following the arced surface of the golf ball.

Abstract: A putting training aid comprising a main body having a first recess and a second recess formed therein, wherein the first recess is adapted to at least partially receive a golf ball to provide a guide for placing a marking on the golf ball a spindle member operably attached to the main body to at least partially extend into the second recess; and a string wound around the spindle member.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tethered baseball in position for batting practice and automatically retrieving the ball after it has been hit with a bat, which includes an adjustable height stand, a fishing reel and a variable speed motor connected thereto. Tethered by a small gauge fishing line which is attached to the reel, the ball, prior to being hit, rests atop the adjustable strand. When the ball is hit, the line is released nearly effortlessly from the reel; and the ball is allowed to travel virtually unobstructed during its flight. When the ball has traveled its full distance, the batter, by pushing a switch with a foot pedal, starts the motor, causing the reel to rewind the line. A control on the switch allows the batter to vary the speed of the motor from fast when the ball is at a distance to slow when the ball approaches the batter.

Abstract: An apparatus to be used to practice golf shots in limited space. A golf ball is tethered to one end of a line and the other end of the line is secured to a support which is calibrated to indicate the distance the ball would have traveled, when struck by a golf club, if the line were not secured to the support. The system includes an energy absorption device to control and limit the movement of the line through the system as the ball is struck.

Abstract: A mobile golf practice device adapted for attachment to the bumper of a standard electric golf cart which allows a golfer to practice his or her stroke with the selected club, proximate the actual shot to be played. The device has an L shaped rigid shaft fixed attached to the cart bumper on one end and carrying a swivel on the other. A flexibly tethered golf ball is attached to the swivel such that the ball moves freely in a arc about the shaft when struck. By striking a golf ball and observing the motion of the ball as it orbits the shaft as well as the number of orbits the golfer can judge the effectiveness of the proposed shot in respect to his actual lie of the course.

Abstract: The invention provides a practice device for practicing the game of golf. The practice device includes a ball, and a tether affixed to the ball for limiting the travel of the ball. The practice device also includes a reel for receiving the tether. The reel can include a lock for preventing the rotational movement of the reel. An anchor is provided for securing the practice device to a surface. The anchor has at least one leg. In an embodiment, the anchor includes two legs, each leg having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal ends of the legs are joined by a substantially perpendicular cross member, and the distal ends of the legs are receivable into the surface. The reel is rotatably secured to the anchor. The invention can also include a loop secured to the anchor for guiding the tether. The invention can additionally include deflector for preventing the ball from hitting the reel or the anchor.

Abstract: A tethered-ball training device used for repetitive training exercises in a variety of sports. The tethered-ball trainer has a ball support means, a retraction means, and a ball. The retraction means is mounted on the support and the tether connects the retraction means to the ball. The retraction means, or tether-rewinding device, allows the tether to feed-out when a force is applied to the ball and provides for a controlled retraction when the force is removed. In alternate embodiments, the retraction means is a spring-wound cord reel and either one or more may be used. Various embodiments include one or multiple-tether devices, a sensor for determining the boundaries of ball travel and speed, completely collapsible support means, and length adjustment means for the support means.

Abstract: A golf practice apparatus which comprises:a base;an elongated support arm coupled to the base and having a free end;a tether guide including an eyelet coupled to the elongated support arm adjacent the free end; anda reel attached to the elongated support arm near the base and remote from the free end, the reel including a spool,the spool having a central axis which is aligned with a center of the eyelet.

Abstract: A golf swing training device is provided herein. A ball is connected to a line wound about a reel, and one or more weights are slidably positioned upon the line. When the ball is struck, its inertia strips line from the reel, and the line trails behind the ball in flight. Simultaneously, the weights are carried along by the line, and these weights exert a downward force on the line, thereby dampening the flight of the struck bail and forcing the ball back toward the ground. Also, when the ball's trajectory curves upward, the friction between the weight and the line increases, thus decelerating the ball. After the ball strikes the ground, the ball can be retrieved by manually rotating the reel in the preferred embodiment.